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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on September 24, 2023. Kevin Hickey's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Sunday, RotoBallers! I'm excited to be covering another fun DFS slate. I'm aware that NFL season is underway, but I'm looking forward to sifting through another crop of MLB games. Let's break down my favorite plays from today's main slate!
Today's main slate features a robust 12-game matinee mix. The weather looks like it could get tricky, so it's essential to check in with your preferred meteorologist ahead of lock. I'll point out the standout plays, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get creative with your builds on this slate.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 9/24/2023 and the slate locking at 1:05 PM ET. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. Now that we got all that out of the way, it's onto the picks!
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Spencer Strider, ATL vs. WAS ($12,900 DK, $11,500 FD)
As is usually the case when he takes the mound, Spencer Strider is the top pitching option on this slate. His price is tough to reckon with, but you won't find a higher ceiling. Through 30 starts, he boasts a 2.98 xERA and 2.89 xFIP. That includes a .199 xBA, .337 xSLG, .269 xwOBA, and 34.9% hard-hit rate. Most impressively, Strider owns a 37.9% strikeout rate, which is complemented by a 39.4% whiff rate and 34.6% chase rate. A double-digit strikeout performance is well within the range of outcomes.
The Nationals are a stingier team to strike out, but they've been one of baseball's weakest offenses all season. They score a modest 4.3 runs per game. That includes an 88 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers alongside a .696 OPS, .304 wOBA, and a .139 ISO. Washington is unlikely to give Strider much trouble today.
Jordan Wicks, CHC vs. COL ($7,000 DK, $8,600 FD)
There are numerous good premium pitching options today, but if you want a discount at SP2, Jordan Wicks is the guy. His MLB career is just five starts deep, so there's certainly some risk. That said, the early returns have been encouraging. Wicks sports a respectable 3.12 xERA and 3.95 xFIP. He's not striking out many hitters yet, though Wicks is inducing weak contact at an elite rate. That includes a 30.1% hard-hit rate, 87.3 mph average exit velocity, .307 xSLG, and a 2.4% barrel rate.
The Rockies might be the worst offense in baseball. They score only 3.6 runs per game away from Coors Field this season. Colorado is also the worst team against left-handed pitching. They own a horrible 66 wRC+ against southpaws, including a .670 OPS, .291 wOBA, and a gratuitous 26.1% strikeout rate.
Also consider: Freddy Peralta, Zac Gallen, Joe Ryan
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Matt Olson – 1B, ATL vs. Jackson Rutledge ($6,500 DK, $4,500 FD)
Matt Olson looks to be a lock for the major league home run title this year. He's mashed 53 long balls alongside a .278/.386/.605 slash line. The success includes a .565 xSLG, 16.7% barrel rate, 56% hard-hit rate, 93.9 mph average exit velocity, and .396 xwOBA. Olson is well worth the steep price tag.
Jackson Rutledge's MLB sample size is only 10 innings deep, so take his 8.10 ERA with a grain of salt. That said, Rutledge's minor-league track record doesn't instill much confidence either. He posted a 6.34 xFIP across 50 2/3 innings pitched in Triple-A this season, and a 4.28 xFIP over 68 1/3 innings in Double-A. Rutledge hasn't been particularly dominant at any level, and this Braves lineup should be a culture shock.
Bo Bichette – SS, TOR vs. Taj Bradley ($5,200 DK, $3,200 FD)
The Blue Jays need to keep winning to secure a Wild Card spot down the stretch, and Bo Bichette will be relied upon to perform. He boasts a .302/.333/.467 slash line this season with 19 home runs and a 120 wRC+. That consists of a .310 xBA, .496 xSLG, 38.8% sweet-spot rate, and a .361 xwOBA.
There's a lot to like about Taj Bradley's game, but he has been awful against right-handed pitchers. Righties are slugging .590 versus Bradley with 15 home runs and a .389 wOBA.
Mark Vientos – 3B, NYM vs. Cristopher Sanchez ($2,800 DK, $2,600 FD)
After shredding minor league pitching, it's been tough sledding for Mark Vientos in the majors. Overall, he's slashing .222/.261/.379 with eight home runs through 59 games played. Vientos has caught fire recently and might be on the verge of finally turning a corner. He's hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, homering four times in that span. Vientos looks like a great value play today.
Cristopher Sanchez doesn't represent the most vulnerable pitching slot on this slate, but there is an opportunity here. Right-handed hitters are slugging .484 against Sanchez this season, including 14 home runs and a .332 wOBA.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Yordan Alvarez – OF, HOU vs. Anthony Veneziano ($6,000 DK, $4,000 FD)
It's never a bad day to roster Yordan Alvarez. He boasts a .292/.409/.577 slash line with 28 home runs and a 170 wRC+. Alvarez is murdering the ball this season to the tune of a .615 xSLG, 17.5% barrel rate, 51.9% hard-hit rate, 93 mph average exit velocity, and .297 xBA. He'll draw a matchup with a southpaw today, but Alvarez crushes pitchers of all handedness.
Anthony Veneziano expects to make his major league debut on Sunday. He posted a 5.08 xFIP across 89 2/3 innings pitched in Triple-A this season. Veneziano has never faced a lineup as lethal as the Houston Astros, and Yordan Alvarez is head and shoulders above the rest.
Seiya Suzuki – OF, CHC vs. Ty Blach ($4,400 DK, $3,100 FD)
Following a disappointing start to the season, Suzuki has caught fire since the All-Star break. In 60 second-half games, he owns a .934 OPS, 13 home runs, and a 147 wRC+. Suzuki is slugging .457 against left-handed pitchers this season, part of a .467 career mark.
Ty Blach is probably the worst pitcher on this slate. Through 18 outings, he carries a 6.93 xERA and 4.96 xFIP. That includes an awful .532 xSLG, .331 xBA, 10.5% barrel rate, 45.2% hard-hit rate, and a 90.6 mph average exit velocity. Right-handed hitters are slugging .533 against Blach.
Tommy Pham – OF, ARI vs. Carlos Rodon ($3,800 DK, $3,200 FD)
Tommy Pham's .261/.330/.462 slash line is solid enough, but his underlying numbers suggest he's been long overdue for positive regression. He boasts a .485 xSLG, 49.8% hard-hit rate, .287 xBA, 10.7% barrel rate, 92.3 mph average exit velocity, and .366 xwOBA. Pham is hitting the ball a lot better than his surface stats tell us.
2023 has not been Carlos Rodon's year. Through 12 starts, he brings a 4.94 xERA and 5.30 xFIP. He's surrendered a .457 xSLG, 12.2% barrel rate, and 91.8 mph average exit velocity. Right-handed hitters are slugging .495 against Rodon.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Chicago Cubs vs. Ty Blach
Favorite Plays: Cody Bellinger, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel
Atlanta Braves vs. Jackson Rutledge
Favorite Plays: Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II
Also Consider: Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins
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